Liandratite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Liandratite
Formula:
U(Nb,Ta)2O8
Colour:
Yellow to yellow-brown
Hardness:
3½
Specific Gravity:
7.0
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in honor of Georges Liandrat, French professor from Samoëns, France, for his noteworthy prospecting activities in Madagascar.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2391
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2391:3
IMA Classification of Liandratite
Approved
IMA Formula:
U6+Nb5+2O8
Approval year:
1975
Classification of Liandratite
4.DH.35
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
D : Metal: Oxygen = 1:2 and similar
H : With large (+- medium-sized) cations; sheets of edge-sharing octahedra
8.1.9.1
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
8 : MULTIPLE OXIDES CONTAINING NIOBIUM,TANTALUM OR TITANIUM
1 : ABO4
18.3.1
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
18 : Niobates and Tantalates
3 : Niobates and tantalates containing U but not rare earths
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Lia | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Liandratite
Transparency:
Translucent
Comment:
Described as glassy
Colour:
Yellow to yellow-brown
Streak:
Yellow-white
Hardness:
3½ on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
7.0 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.87 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured after heating
Optical Data of Liandratite
Type:
Isotropic
RI values:
n = 1.83
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Chemistry of Liandratite
Mindat Formula:
U(Nb,Ta)2O8
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Liandratite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m(32/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
P31m
Setting:
P31m
Cell Parameters:
a = 6.36 Å, c = 4.01 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.631
Unit Cell V:
140.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.18 Å | (10) |
| 4.01 Å | (8) |
| 2.49 Å | (4) |
| 1.838 Å | (3) |
| 1.692 Å | (2) |
| 1.200 Å | (2) |
| 2.00 Å | (1) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47f : [Uranyl (U⁶⁺) minerals] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Liandratite
General Appearance of Type Material:
As a 2mm thick metamict crust surrounding petscheckite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, 14561
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A beryl-columbite subtype LCT granite pegmatite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Liandratite
Other Language Names for Liandratite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 8 photos of Liandratite associated with Petscheckite | UFe(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 3 photos of Liandratite associated with 'Columbite-(Fe)-Columbite-(Mn) Series' | |
| 1 photo of Liandratite associated with 'Fergusonite' | |
| 1 photo of Liandratite associated with Fergusonite-(Y) | YNbO4 |
| 1 photo of Liandratite associated with Columbite-(Fe) | Fe2+Nb2O6 |
| 1 photo of Liandratite associated with Columbite-(Mn) | Mn2+Nb2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 4.DH. | Cesiokenopyrochlore | ◻Nb2(O,OH)6(Cs,◻) |
| 4.DH. | Roméite Group | A2(Sb5+)2O6Z |
| 4.DH. | Oxyplumboroméite | Pb2Sb2O6O |
| 4.DH. | Fluornatropyrochlore | (Na,Pb,Ca,REE,U)2Nb2O6F |
| 4.DH. | Hydroxykenomicrolite | (◻,Na,Sb3+)2Ta2O6(OH,Cs) |
| 4.DH. | 'Fluornatroroméite' | (Na,Ca)2Sb2(O,OH)6F |
| 4.DH. | Oxyyttrobetafite-(Y) | Y2Ti2O6O |
| 4.DH.05 | Thorutite | (Th,U,Ca)Ti2(O,OH)6 |
| 4.DH.05 | Orthobrannerite | U4+U6+Ti4O12(OH)2 |
| 4.DH.05 | Brannerite | UTi2O6 |
| 4.DH.10 | Kassite | CaTi2O4(OH)2 |
| 4.DH.10 | Lucasite-(La) | |
| 4.DH.10 | Lucasite-(Ce) | CeTi2(O,OH)6 |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorhydropyrochlore' | |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydrokenoelsmoreite | ◻2W2O6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Hydroxynatromicrolite' | (Na,Bi3+,◻)2Ta2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroplumboelsmoreite | (Pb,◻)(W,Fe3+)2O6 · H2O |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydropyrochlore | (H2O,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Unnamed (Sb-analogue of Hydroxymanganopyrochlor)' | (Mn,Ca,Y)2(Sb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxynatropyrochlore | (Na,Ca,Ce)2Nb2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydrokenopyrochlore | (◻,x)2Nb2O6(H2O,Cs) |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxybismutomicrolite | (Bi1.33◻0.67)Σ2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Kenomicrolite | ◻2Ta2[O4(OH)2]◻ |
| 4.DH.15 | Fluornatromicrolite | (Na1.5Bi0.5)Ta2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxynatropyrochlore' | (Na,Ca,U)2Nb2O6(O,OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxycalciopyrochlore | (Ca,Na,U,◻)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | Fluorcalciopyrochlore | (Ca,Na)2(Nb,Ti)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxycalciopyrochlore | Ca2Nb2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorstrontiopyrochlore' | (Sr,◻)2Nb2(O,OH)6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxyplumbopyrochlore | Pb2Nb2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorplumbopyrochlore' | (Pb,Y,Th,U,Na,Ca)2-x(Nb,Ti)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Bismutomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)' | |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Bismutopyrochlore (of Chukanov et al.)' | (Bi,Ca,U,Pb)2-xNb2(O,OH)6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Kenoplumbopyrochlore' | (Pb,◻)Nb2O6(◻,O) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxyplumbopyrochlore | (Pb1.5◻0.5)Nb2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Stibiomicrolite (of Groat et al.)' | |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxyyttropyrochlore-(Y)' | (Y,◻)2Nb2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Fluorkenopyrochlore' | (◻,Sr,Ce,Ca,Na)2(Nb,Ti)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxycalciomicrolite | Ca1.5Ta2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Strontiopyrochlore (of Hogarth 1977)' | (Sr,Ce,Ca)0.66(Nb,Fe)2(O,OH)7 |
| 4.DH.15 va | 'Alumotungstite' | ◻2W2O6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxycalciobetafite' | Ca2(Ti,Nb)2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Oxyuranobetafite' | (U,Ca,◻)2(Ti,Nb)2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Fluorcalciomicrolite | (Ca,Na)2(Ta,Nb)2O6F |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxycalciomicrolite | Ca2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxystannomicrolite | Sn2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | Kenoplumbomicrolite | (Pb,◻)2Ta2O6(◻,OH,O) |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxynatromicrolite | (Na,Ca,U)2(Ta,Nb)2O6(O,F) |
| 4.DH.15 | Oxystibiomicrolite | (Sb3+,Ca)2Ta2O6O |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Hydromicrolite' | (H2O,◻)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | 'Plumbomicrolite (of Hogarth 1977)' | |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydrokenomicrolite | (◻,H2O)2Ta2(O,OH)6(H2O) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxykenoelsmoreite | (◻,Pb)2(W,Fe3+,Al)2(O,OH)6(OH) |
| 4.DH.15 va | 'Yttromicrolite (of Hogarth)' | (Ca,Y3+,U,Na)2-x(Ta,Nb,Ti,Fe3+)2O7 |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxykenopyrochlore | (◻,Ce,Ba)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH,F) |
| 4.DH.15 | Hydroxymanganopyrochlore | (Mn2+,Th,Na,Ca,REE)2(Nb,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | 'Cuproroméite' | Cu2Sb2(O,OH)7 |
| 4.DH.20 | Hydroxycalcioroméite | (Ca,Sb3+)2(Sb5+,Ti)2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | Bindheimite | Pb2Sb2O6O |
| 4.DH.20 | Hydroxyferroroméite | (Fe2+1.5◻0.5)Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | Fluorcalcioroméite | (Ca,Na,◻)2Sb5+2(O,OH)6F |
| 4.DH.20 | Oxycalcioroméite | Ca2Sb2O6O |
| 4.DH.20 | Stetefeldtite | Ag2Sb2(O,OH)7 |
| 4.DH.20 | Stibiconite | Sb3+Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| 4.DH.20 | Monimolite | Pb2Sb5+2O7 |
| 4.DH.25 | Rosiaite | PbSb5+2O6 |
| 4.DH.30 | Stefanweissite | (Ca,REE)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14 |
| 4.DH.30 | Zirconolite | CaZrTi2O7 |
| 4.DH.30 | Laachite | (Ca,Mn)2Zr2Nb2TiFeO14 |
| 4.DH.30 | Nöggerathite-(Ce) | (Ce,Ca)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14 |
| 4.DH.35 | Petscheckite | UFe(Nb,Ta)2O8 |
| 4.DH.40 | Ingersonite | Ca3Mn2+Sb5+4O14 |
| 4.DH.45 | Pittongite | Na0.22(W,Fe3+)(O,OH)3 · 0.44H2O |
| 4.DH.50 | Tazzoliite | Ba4-xNaxTi2Nb3SiO17[PO2(OH)2]x(OH)(1-2x) |
Radioactivity
Radioactivity:
| Element | % Content | Activity (Bq/kg) | Radiation Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 43.1339% | 10,783,475 | α, β, γ |
| Thorium (Th) | 0.0000% | 0 | α, β, γ |
| Potassium (K) | 0.0000% | 0 | β, γ |
For comparison:
- Banana: ~15 Bq per fruit
- Granite: 1,000–3,000 Bq/kg
- EU exemption limit: 10,000 Bq/kg
Note: Risk is shown relative to daily recommended maximum exposure to non-background radiation of 1000 µSv/year. Note that natural background radiation averages around 2400 µSv/year so in reality these risks are probably extremely overstated! With infrequent handling and safe storage natural radioactive minerals do not usually pose much risk.
Interactive Simulator:
Note: The mass selector refers to the mass of radioactive mineral present, not the full specimen, also be aware that the matrix may also be radioactive, possibly more radioactive than this mineral!
Activity: –
| Distance | Dose rate | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cm | ||
| 10 cm | ||
| 1 m |
The external dose rate (D) from a radioactive mineral is estimated by summing the gamma radiation contributions from its Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium content, disregarding daughter-product which may have a significant effect in some cases (eg 'pitchblende'). This involves multiplying the activity (A, in Bq) of each element by its specific gamma ray constant (Γ), which accounts for its unique gamma emissions. The total unshielded dose at 1 cm is then scaled by the square of the distance (r, in cm) and multiplied by a shielding factor (μshield). This calculation provides a 'worst-case' or 'maximum risk' estimate because it assumes the sample is a point source and entirely neglects any self-shielding where radiation is absorbed within the mineral itself, meaning actual doses will typically be lower. The resulting dose rate (D) is expressed in microsieverts per hour (μSv/h).
D = ((AU × ΓU) + (ATh × ΓTh) + (AK × ΓK)) / r2 × μshield
Other Information
Notes:
radioactive
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Liandratite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2391.html
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References for Liandratite
Localities for Liandratite
Showing 26 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Galliski et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
Australia | |
| R Bottrill collection (unconfirmed) |
Canada | |
| Critical Elements Corporation |
Egypt | |
| El-Naby (2009) |
| Helmy | |
| 52 (2) +1 other reference |
Madagascar (TL) | |
| Mücke et al. (1978) |
Norway | |
| Rune S. Selbekk (2010) |
| Kristiansen (2006) |
| Larsen. A.O. & Åsheim (2008) |
Poland | |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
| Matyszczak (2018) | |
| Matyszczak (2018) | |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
| Matyszczak (2018) | |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2016) | |
| Matyszczak (2018) |
Sweden | |
| Pavel M. Kartashov (n.d.) |
USA | |
| Färber (n.d.) |
| Personal collection of Fred E Davis +1 other reference |
| Fred E. Davis Collection | |
| Cordura |
| www.uwrf.edu/~wc01 |
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Ivedal, Iveland, Agder, Norway